About Us

The Anishinaabeg of Kabapikotawangag Resource Council is incorporated as an Aboriginal non-profit organization, providing advisory and technical services to the member First Nations. The Kabapikotawangag Protocol, which is founded on the Anishinaabe language, culture and traditions, along with provincial and federal policies, provides the guidelines for the legal and political structures of the organization.

The Governing Board of AKRC, with guidance from the Elders Council, serves as the primary counsel for the introduction and deliberation of issues affecting the operational and structural integrity of the AKRC. All Governing Board members are Chiefs of the five First Nations, and decisions are reached through the traditional model of consensus.

The AKRC staff, committees and communities work together to ensure the cooperation, coordination and holistic approaches are in place for the delivery of services to support a high quality of life for the Anishinaabe people. The primary focus is to ensure the children, youth, adults and elders of the member First Nation communities have the resources available to meet the challenges and opportunities for life-long development.

Under the Articles of Incorporation, the Anishinaabeg of Kabapikotawangag Resource Council is mandated for the following:

development and implementation of strategic initiatives that enhance the individual’s ability to complete the life cycle from infancy to elder in a socially, economically, politically and spiritually self-sufficient community;

promotion and protection of the Anishinaabeg of Kabapikotawangag integrity to their language, culture, history, spirituality and sacred relation to the lands and waters; and

promotion and protection of the special treaty and fiduciary relationships to the crown.

While carrying out its local mandate in providing programs and services to the five member First Nations, the Anishinaabeg of Kabapikotawangag Resource Council also engage other governments and organizations in establishing relationships, protocols and agreements.

The Anishinaabeg of Kabapikotawangag Resource Council is committed to the betterment of all First Nations people in Ontario and Canada in matters of self-reliance and self-government.

AKRC has two offices – a main office located at Animakee Wa-Zhing #37 First Nation south of Sioux Narrows, and the Northern Sub Office located at Wauzhushk Onigum First Nation.

Member Communities

Anishinaabeg of Kabapikotawangag Resource Council is incorporated as an Aboriginal non-profit organization, providing advisory and technical services to the member First Nations.

The Governing Board of AKRC, with guidance from the Elders Council, serves as the primary counsel for the introduction and deliberation of issues affecting the operational and structural integrity of the organization.

All Governing Board members are Chiefs of the (5) First Nations, and decisions are reached through the traditional model of consensus.

Governing Board of Chiefs

Definition and Purpose of the Anishinaabeg of Kabapikotawangag, Non-Profit Corporation

The Anishinaabeg of Kabapikotawangag Resource Council is a non-profit corporation in the Province of Ontario and has been in existence since March 24, 1997. The Governing Gouncil consists of Five (5) member First Nations. The Chiefs and member First Nations include:

Chief Darlene Comegan – Northwest Angle #33

Chief Chris Skead – Wauzhushk Onigum Nation

Chief Carol Copenace – Big Grassy River

Chief Kathy Kishiqueb – Ojibways of Onigaming

Chief Vanessa Powassin – Animakee Wa Zhing #37

The Mandate of the Anishinaabeg of Kabapikotawangag Resource Council is:

Development and implementation of strategic initiatives that enhance the individual Anishinaabe’s ability to complete the life cycle from infancy to elder in society, economically and spiritually self-sufficient community.

Promotion and protection of the Anishinaabeg of Kabapikotawangag commitment to their language, culture, history, spirituality and sacred relation to the land and waters.

Promotion and protection of the special treaty and fiduciary relationships with the Crown.

Act as a collective entity to develop economic initiatives for the 5 member First Nations while protecting, enhancing, conserving, and managing the resources in the Kabapikotawangag (Lake of the Woods).

Develop technological capabilities at the First Nation level in all areas of resource harvesting and management.

While carrying out this mandate in providing programs and services to the five member First Nations the Anishinaabeg of Kabapikotawangag Resource Council will also engage other governments and organizations in establishing relationships, protocols and agreements.

The Chief’s of Anishinaabeg of Kabapikotawangag Council have taken steps to assume greater political responsibilities and representation for member First Nations. In regards, changes are taking place to reflect new mandates, relationships and protocols in matters of self-government.

Vision Statement

From time immemorial our Nations and people have lived enjoyed the gifts of the Creation. We have enjoyed and benefited from a long history of political, social, and cultural, and spiritual interactions and relationships. The laws and principles we adhere to are those that are set forth in the Ogichitibaakonigewin and the teachings of Gizhiiwaatiziwin, Aatsookaanan, Miinigoowiziwin, and Kagiikwiwinan that have been handed down by our ancestors.

The Story of the
Kabapikotawangag Staff

The Kabapikotawangag Staff belongs to the Lake of the Sand Bars. It was given to us by the spiritual. It was given to Clifford in a dream. (Told by Clifford Skead)

A man came and told him to make a staff for the lake people. The staff was to be the size of a man – longer than 6 feet. The feathers belong to and represent each community.

The ribbons represent the rainbow.The beaver pelt represents the beaver that lives in the water.The pipe was to have a stub and be purple like the sky.The one who looks after the Tribal Council has to look after it, and it looks after us.The staff should be feasted in the spring and the fall – all these things are sacred. It can be feasted anywhere on the Lake.The spiritual staff (being) was given to us by the Creator.

Clifford waited before he told anyone.

He had a second dream and saw the staff. He was asked “Do you have it made?”“No” he said.

This will keep your people together.

( A seventh Eagle Feather was added to the Staff to represent the Youth of AKRC. )

The staff can be at traditional, non-traditional, and government meetings.It can stay at the office where the man that looks after the Tribal Council is.It has to be near him. The Kabapikotawangag Staff does not have to go to meetings… except when the Elders gather.